Song 2: "Barrow Full of Troubles" (The Graft & The Glory) Style: Up-tempo folk-rock / music-hall knees-up with a driving rhythm (think whistle + accordion or banjo). Length idea: 2 verses + 2 pre-choruses + big chorus (repeat x3 with growing harmonies) + bridge + extended instrumental (wheelbarrow "push" percussion) + final chorus with ad-libs. (~6.5–7.5 mins) [Verse 1] Born with a nose like a shovel end, Pug Nose Riley, no need to pretend, Came down to Woodus when the chips were low, Found a scrappy plot where the bindweed grows. Slugs in the lettuce, bindweed in the beans, Pigeons doing dive-bombs on his runner beans, But he rolls up his sleeves with a cheeky wink, Flat cap tilted, whistling like he don't care a blink. [Pre-Chorus] Rain's pouring down, boots full of mud, Lady Muck cackling, "You're doing no good!" Lady Docker shouts, "That plot's a right state!" But Pug Nose just laughs and says "Just you wait!" [Chorus] Oh it's a barrow full of troubles, but a heart full of pride, Pushing that wheelbarrow from side to side! Spuds in the sack and toms shining red, Pug Nose Riley keeps his allotment well fed! De de de da, de de de daaa, Sweat on his brow but he's king of the plot, hurrah! From dawn till the light starts to fade away, Barrow full of troubles, but he wouldn't have it any other way! [Verse 2] One day the frost came and nipped all his peas, Next day the foxes dug under the trees, Neighbour's dog did a whoopsie on his prize leeks, But Pug Nose just dug deeper, turning both cheeks. Compost heap steaming, fork in his hand, Singing to the cabbages like they're his band, Lady Muck brings tea in a battered old flask, Lady Docker shouts "Oi! Don't you dare ask!" [Pre-Chorus] Wind's howling now, but he don't mind the chill, Just hums that little tune with unbreakable will, From scrappy young lad with a face like a boot, To the veg-run champion — give him a hoot! [Chorus — bigger] Oh it's a barrow full of troubles, but a heart full of pride... (repeat with harmonies) De de de daaa — push it, lad! Push it wide! [Bridge — slower, spoken/sung with growing intensity] They said he'd never amount to much, Just a flat-nosed grafter with a dodgy touch, But every potato he pulls from the clay, Says "This one's for me, and this one's for May!" (Instrumental break: heavy wheelbarrow sounds, stomping, whistles) [Final Chorus — full ensemble, ad-libs] Yeah it's a barrow full of troubles, but we're living the dream! Pug Nose Riley, the allotment supreme! Oi oi! Mind the slugs! De de de daaa! Home with the harvest, never a shirker — hurrah! (Ad-lib outro: "Push it, Pug! Faster lad! That's my boy! De de de de daaaa!")
